‘It’s alarming’: Education Department revokes guidance on English learning services

US

The U.S. Education Department has formally rescinded a 2015 “Dear Colleague” letter that for years served as the federal government’s central guidance to school districts on how to serve the nation’s approximately 5 million English learners. Originally issued to ensure compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the letter required schools to … Read more

Blake Lively books new film amid legal blowup with “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni

US

Blake Lively, whose name has been making more headlines for legal disputes than movie roles in recent months, is set to take center stage in Lionsgate’s upcoming romantic comedy The Survival List. The studio confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that it has acquired the project, with Lively both starring in and producing the film. According to … Read more

Why Alexander Isak may have closed his own window on dream move to Liverpool

SPORTS

Alexander Isak has broken his silence on his future, hinting at “broken promises” and suggesting a move away from Newcastle United would be best for all parties. The Swedish striker’s comments, made shortly after being named in the PFA Team of the Year, have intensified speculation linking him with Liverpool. However, Newcastle remain adamant that … Read more

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council probes hotel being used for asylum seekers

WORLD

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council has launched a planning enforcement investigation into the Chimney Corner Hotel in Co Antrim, which is being used to accommodate asylum seekers. The move follows a recent High Court ruling in England that blocked the use of the Bell Hotel in Essex for asylum housing without planning approval, requiring current residents … Read more

Questions loom over rest of Browns quarterback room after Flacco named the Week 1 starter

SPORTS

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Joe Flacco as the team’s starting quarterback for the Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 39-year-old veteran, who went 4-1 in five starts for Cleveland in 2023 and led the team to the playoffs, beat out contenders including Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, … Read more

‘You have my assurance’: Trump says U.S. troops won’t be involved in Ukraine peacekeeping

US

President Donald Trump said U.S. troops will not be part of any peacekeeping force in Ukraine after the war, offering his “assurance” in an Aug. 19 Fox News interview. The statement came a day after he had not ruled out the possibility during Oval Office talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. Trump … Read more

JD Vance forced UK to drop demand for ‘backdoor access’ into iPhones

WORLD

Vice President JD Vance intervened to stop Sir Keir Starmer’s government from forcing Apple to weaken its end-to-end encryption, a move privacy advocates said would have jeopardized millions of users’ security. The UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, had requested Apple create a “backdoor” to help authorities combat child abuse and terrorism, but Apple resisted and … Read more